Good books — they just never stop coming. Here’s what I’ve got my eye on this week.
Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Amistad (January 5, 2010)
From Publisher’s Weekly:
In her debut, Perkins-Valdez eloquently plunges into a dark period of American history, chronicling the lives of four slave women—Lizzie, Reenie, Sweet and Mawu—who are their masters’ mistresses. The women meet when their owners vacation at the same summer resort in Ohio. There, they see free blacks for the first time and hear rumors of abolition, sparking their own desires to be free. For everyone but Lizzie, that is, who believes she is really in love with her master, and he with her. An extended flashback in the middle of the novel delves into Lizzie’s life and vividly explores the complicated psychological dynamic between master and slave. Jumping back to the final summer in Ohio, the women all have a decision to make—will they run? Heart-wrenching, intriguing, original and suspenseful, this novel showcases Perkins-Valdez’s ability to bring the unfortunate past to life.
Doesn’t that sound fantastic?! Can’t wait to get my hands on this book.
Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War by Karl Marlantes
• Hardcover: 592 pages
• Publisher: Atlantic Monthly Press; 1 edition (April 1, 2010)
From Publisher’s Weekly:
Thirty years in the making, Marlantes’s epic debut is a dense, vivid narrative spanning many months in the lives of American troops in Vietnam as they trudge across enemy lines, encountering danger from opposing forces as well as on their home turf. Marine lieutenant and platoon commander Waino Mellas is braving a 13-month tour in Quang-Tri province, where he is assigned to a fire-support base and befriends Hawke, older at 22; both learn about life, loss, and the horrors of war. Jungle rot, leeches dropping from tree branches, malnourishment, drenching monsoons, mudslides, exposure to Agent Orange, and wild animals wreak havoc as brigade members face punishing combat and grapple with bitterness, rage, disease, alcoholism, and hubris. A decorated Vietnam veteran, the author clearly understands his playing field (including military jargon that can get lost in translation), and by examining both the internal and external struggles of the battalion, he brings a long, torturous war back to life with realistic characters and authentic, thrilling combat sequences. Marlantes’s debut may be daunting in length, but it remains a grand, distinctive accomplishment.
What books are you peeing your pants in anticipation for?
| Tags: dolen perkins-valdez, i love me some books, karl marlantes, matterhorn, wench 20 comments »
January 29th, 2010 at 11:04 am
I really want to read Wench! Looks great! Thanks for the info on this one!
January 29th, 2010 at 11:32 am
I’m putting Matterhorn on my list! It’s looks PERFECT for the Vietnam War reading challenge this year.
January 29th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
I really want to read WENCH too. Thank goodness, it’s in at the library for me!
January 29th, 2010 at 2:11 pm
OMG, I am TELLING YOU I cannot WAIT to get my hands on Wench, seriously! If you see my blog you can see I talked about it just yesterday!
January 29th, 2010 at 2:12 pm
Oh, and btw I LOOOOOOOOOOOVE YOUR NEW BLOG LOOK!!! I had to look for a second and then I said, “Hey! THis is ‘Hey Lady!”
BEAUTIFUL and sassy!
:0)
January 29th, 2010 at 2:22 pm
I’m totally peeing my pants about WENCH, although that could just be the 3 liters of water I’ve had today…
January 29th, 2010 at 4:21 pm
I have heard some great things about “Wench” and am anxiously awaiting its arrival with legs tightly crossed (so as not to pee my pants).
January 29th, 2010 at 5:41 pm
I totally forgot to say, I’m peeing my PANTS in anticipation for The Postmistress. Jen told me it’s good and she’s ALWAYS right. I MUST have it!
January 29th, 2010 at 7:24 pm
Oh yes, I can’t wait to get my hands on “Wench.” I heard an interview with the author and it sounds so interesting!
January 30th, 2010 at 7:23 am
I had to comment on this segment that you post about. My morning routine is to boot up the computer, grab my coffee and start reading my book blog newsletters that I subscribe to…you being one…and it never fails. I break out into a huge smile reading “peeing in my pants. I usually have only had 1/2 cup of coffee and that could be a reason also. So wanted to thank you for giving me my first smile of the day. I do enjoy reading about the books too. You can find me here
January 30th, 2010 at 10:27 am
I have Wench — and will be reading it sooooon.
January 30th, 2010 at 11:10 am
Oh Jen that was too funny! I have Wench already and must read it. I do want to read Matterhorn as well. :p
January 30th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
I’m so excited about Wench as well! I can’t wait.
January 30th, 2010 at 8:49 pm
I do not pee in my pants in anticipation of books. I’m very patient. However, both of those look marvelous and I feel a sudden urge to run to the bathroom.
January 31st, 2010 at 5:46 am
I absolutely loved WENCH. It’s making the rounds with the women in my family. Currently it’s with my mother-in-law, then my mom and sisters. It’s a fantastic book.
January 31st, 2010 at 7:04 pm
I think Wench is going to be huge!
February 2nd, 2010 at 2:07 pm
I just came across Wench on another blog, and I am really excited about reading it. Matterhorn looks like my kind of book as well, as I have always found the Vietnam War fascinating. Great picks for this week. There are just so many great books coming out soon that I get lost about what to choose. These posts really clear out the clutter for me and help me decide!
February 3rd, 2010 at 1:48 pm
I’m peeing my pants for The Weed That Strings the Hangman’s Bag…another Flavia de Luce mystery!!!
February 6th, 2010 at 1:52 pm
Looking forward to WENCH too. Assume you saw the interview on Book Club Girl with the author…
February 12th, 2010 at 3:09 pm
I just won a copy of Wench! Can’t wait to get it!